ArtsQuest, In The Valley, Press Release

ARTSQUEST TO CONTINUE ST. NICK PROGRAMMING PAST CHRISTKINDLMARKT

en flag
es flag


Featured image by: David Happel

In-person and digital events to continue through Dec. 20

BETHLEHEM, PA – While Christkindlmarkt presented by Univest will wrap up on Sun, Dec. 6, ArtsQuest will continue to produce events centered around our beloved St. Nicholas through Sun, Dec. 20, continuing a nearly 30-year tradition for children in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. The St. Nick events, sponsored by NJM Insurance, Crayola and Just Born Quality Confections, include the in-person – though socially-distanced – Storytime with St. Nick events on the SteelStacks campus’s Levitt Pavilion and two virtual events: Zoom with St. Nick and Cooking with St. Nick.

Storytime with St. Nick

St. Nick’s home on the SteelStacks campus this year is the Levitt Pavilion stage, where he’s been holding Storytime with St. Nick on Saturdays and Sundays so far through the season.

The first part of each Storytime with St. Nick sees the big guy reading two of his favorite holiday stories from his throne on the Levitt stage. After he’s done, every family in attendance will be called up one by one, maintaining social distancing and wearing masks, to allow for children to tell St. Nick what they want for Christmas. Each family is then welcome to take pictures with St. Nick while maintaining social distance, with St. Nick on one side of a large sign printed specifically for photos and the family on the other. Pictures are taken via devices provided by the family and masks stay on for the entirety of the onstage visit.

Reservations must be made for a socially-distanced square on the Levitt lawn, which can accommodate up to four people (not including children 2 and under) in the same party. Patrons should bring any chairs or blankets they’d like for seating on the Levitt Lawn. Registration per lawn square is $20 for the public and $18 for ArtsQuest Members.

Upcoming Storytimes with St. Nick:

  • Sat, Dec 5: 1:30 m.
  • Sun, Dec 6: 12 m.
  • Sat, Dec 12: 2 m.
  • Sun, Dec 13: 10:30 m.
  • Sat, Dec 19: 2 m.
  • Sun, Dec 20: 10:30 m.

Zoom with St. Nick

Understanding that not everyone can come out for Storytime with St. Nick, ArtsQuest has been producing private Zoom with St. Nick sessions. Each session is 10 minutes long and registrants get their own personalized link sent via e-mail in the hour prior. That link can be shared with whomever the registrant would also like on the call; there have been a few sessions uniting families from all over the world!

Patrons also have the option to have the session recorded; ArtsQuest will send the trimmed video within the following week. Registration per session is $10 for the public and $9 AQ member; getting the video is an additional $4.

Upcoming Zoom with St. Nick times (sessions are offered every 15 minutes, including the first and last time listed):

  • Sat, Dec. 5: 12 p.m. – 1:15 m.
  • Sun, Dec. 6: 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 m.
  • Sat, Dec. 12: 12 p.m. – 1:45 m.
  • Sun, Dec. 13: 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 m.
  • Sat, Dec. 19: 12 p.m. – 1:45 m.
  • Sun, Dec. 20: 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 m.

“Our Zoom with St. Nick call was so magical. I’m so glad my kids had this safe opportunity to talk to Santa!” – Denise Johnston, Skippack

“Zoom with St. Nick was a fantastic activity for my kids! They were so happy to get the chance to talk to Santa when we couldn’t see him in person this year. I’m so glad ArtsQuest gave us that opportunity.” – Jessica Cardone, Phillipsburg

Cooking with St. Nick

We’ve paired St. Nick up with our friends at Levy Restaurants to show kids how to make some of his favorite breakfast and lunch foods! These sessions are broadcast live via Zoom.

Interested families need to register in advance; the full recipe and Zoom link are sent an hour before the respective session. An ingredient list is available on the webpage for advance preparation. Registration for each session is $10 for the public and $9 for AQ Members.

  • Dec 6, 2 p.m. – Homemade Mac and Cheese with Chef Julie
  • Dec 13, 2 p.m. – Grammy Fortun’s Chocolate Chip Cookies with Chef Shawn
  • Dec 20, 2 p.m. – Peeps S’mores Dip with Chef Julie

Pricing recaps:

  • Storytime with St. Nick (per socially-distanced lawn square): $20 / $18 AQ Member
  • Zoom with St. Nick (per session): $10 / $9 AQ member, option to purchase recording of session for additional $4
  • Cooking with St. Nick (per session): $10 / $9 AQ Member

For complete information on all of the holiday events and attractions taking place this holiday season in Bethlehem, the Christmas City, visit www.christmascity.org.

Information provided to TVL by:
Gabriela L. Laracca, ArtsQuest
Public Relations Coordinator
http://www.artsquest.org/